Ear, Nose and Throat Exam

Question 1

Ear Exam

Answer 1

Observation
* General appearance
* Lesion, discharge

Palpation
* Auricle (general outer ear), move up and down
* Tragus (anterior outside ear canal), press down
* Mastoid process, press firmly
* Tug test for otitis externa

Otoscopy
* Ear canal
* Ear drum:
o Pars flaccida, pars tensa, cone of light
o General appearance: colour, bulging, discharge

Auditory acuity
* Whispered voice
* Weber and Rinne tests if loss of auditory acuity

Question 2

Nose Exam

Answer 2

Observation
* General appearance: lumps, bumps, patency of nares (largeness of nostrils)
* Deviations
* Mucosa: lesions, discharge

Palpation
* Obstruction: press alar nasi and ask pt to breathe in
* Sinus tenderness

Otoscopy
* Inspect nasal passages
* Inspect mucosa: colour, exudates, polyps, lesions

Question 3

Throat Exam

Answer 3

Observation
* Lips:
o General appearance
o Ulcers, cracking
* Intraoral structures using torch and tongue blade:
o Oral mucosa and gums: colour, ulcers, candida
o Hard and soft palate
o Tonsils and pharynx
o Tongue: visual inspection only
* Anterior cervical:
o Looking for enlargement
o Observe swallowing

Palpation
* Thyroid:
o R and L lobes
o Swallowing
o Note tenderness